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Stuxnet Was Designed To Subtly Interfere With Uranium Enrichment

Posted by Soulskill on from the well-thank-god-it-didn't-infect-my-pc dept.

ceswiedler writes "Wired is reporting that the Stuxnet worm was apparently designed to subtly interfere with uranium enrichment by periodically speeding or slowing specific frequency converter drives spinning between 807Hz and 1210Hz. The goal was not to cause a major malfunction (which would be quickly noticed), but rather to degrade the quality of the enriched uranium to the point where much of it wouldn't be useful in atomic weapons. Statistics from 2009 show that the number of enriched centrifuges operational in Iran mysteriously declined from about 4,700 to about 3,900 at around the time the worm was spreading in Iran."

11 of 334 comments (clear)

  1. This story by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    This story made my head spin. Slowly at first, but then faster, than slower again.

    1. Re:This story by BeardedChimp · · Score: 3, Funny

      Yeah this story is total bullshit, it is almost entirely spin.

  2. Re:Resources, will, and motive by ciderbrew · · Score: 5, Funny

    Budget cuts in Britain would put a stop to that sort of thing. We can't even get a James Bond film off the ground with American money!

  3. Too good to be true. by johncadengo · · Score: 4, Funny

    Can't wait for the movie adaptation. I heard they got a book in the works too???

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    My page.
    1. Re:Too good to be true. by Ihmhi · · Score: 4, Funny

      Hackers 4: One Half-Life To Live

      Starring Shia LeBeouf, Robert Pattinson, Michael Cera, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, and Megan Fox

      --
      Random Thoughts From A Diseased Mind (Not For Dummies)
  4. probably the commies by Trepidity · · Score: 4, Funny

    They're ideologically opposed to enrichment.

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    10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1)); : GOTO 10
  5. Re:The problem with computer sabotage... by aliquis · · Score: 3, Funny

    Installed IE6 in the process. THAT WOULD HAD SHOWN THEM!

  6. Re:I don't know whats more worrying... by Viol8 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Well thats ok then. as long as its only CONTROLLED by it. Perhaps we should put Windows in avionic packages then, after all, it will only CONTROL the flaps and engines. Would could possibly go wrong?

  7. Re:Resources, will, and motive by TapeCutter · · Score: 4, Funny

    "It really is like each response after the next is competing to think of a more convoluted, absurd way that someone you don't suspect could be involved in it."

    It was Boris in the library with a commodore 64.

    --
    And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
  8. Re:BS by SandFrog · · Score: 4, Funny

    So, are we talking Stuxnet, or Iocane powder?

    --
    Contentment is the greatest wealth
    - Sukhavagga Dhammapada
    Contentment is the goal behind all goals.
  9. Re:BS by PatPending · · Score: 3, Funny

    You fell victim to one of the classic blunders - The most famous of which is "never get involved in a land war in Asia" - Rizzini

    And you fell victim to one of the classic blunders - the most famous of which is incorrectly attributing this quote to someone besides "Vizzini."

    --
    What one fool can do, another can. (Ancient Simian Proverb)